HOG Membership Benefits (or lack thereof)

[hdflstci]

I travel a few times a year on business and like to extend my trips a couple of days to get some riding in. In the past I typically used the local HD rental services or a third party (ie; Eagle Rider) to rent the bike.

Then a buddy of mine turned me on to a great benefit (what we thought was a great benefit anyway) provided for HOG members called the HOG "Fly and Ride" program. You essentially get a rental at a significant discount. I made a decision to renew my membership and give HD $45 based on the definition of this benefit posted on the members website. The issue is the program is not even fully deployed and not available at one of the most popular locations: Las Vegas Harley Davidson. What is worse is neither HD nor Las Vegas Harley Davidson show any kind of compassion or are willing to provide a discount on the normal rental rate. It's nuts (and just not right, maybe even illegal)!

I did use the program in Oakland and it worked out well. It's really too bad that HD will not do the right thing and either remove LVHD from the F&R site or at least offer a discount to HOG members.

Has anyone else experienced similar situations?

Thanks for letting me vent!

[SanDollars]

I used it in Anchorage, AK and it went smooth as silk. Just showed them my HOG card and they gave me the bike. FLHTCI for a hundred bucks a day. Dunno if that was any type of discount but I am a HOG member for the cool patches...... NOT!!

[geezerglide]

I lost lights last year in Vegas during POT and they went the extra mile to take care of me and getting me back on the road- found and fixed the crimped wire and sent me away- with no charge- then called to see if I made it home without further problems!! Man they were cranking out the rental bikes that day though- maybe just too much demand or booking issues?

[hdflstci]

Thanks for the response. My issue is not with LVHD. I rented there a while back and my experience was positive.

My issue is with HOG. They advertise membership benefits that they can't deliver. And you only find this out after you have paid your $45 and try to use those benefits.

You would think that they would at least update the membership site. Go figure.

[rehjr]

we used the fly and ride in LV back in 99 and loved it. The deal with Fly and Ride is you have to give a certain amount of notice and make sure the dealer first participates, and then make sure it is the right time of the year. Some dealers only rent bikes during the spring and summer months.

[hep0950]

Originally Posted by hdflstci

Thanks for the response. My issue is not with LVHD. I rented there a while back and my experience was positive.

My issue is with HOG. They advertise membership benefits that they can't deliver. And you only find this out after you have paid your $45 and try to use those benefits.

You would think that they would at least update the membership site. Go figure.

They do say that a three week reservation in advance in necessary and the number of vehicles are limited. It may have been that all if their rentals were already rented.

[hdflstci]

It has nothing to do with the lead time on the reservation. They tell me they cannot activate the Fly and Ride program anywhere in Nevada because the state of Nevada has issue with the registrations. The issue is Harley Corporate owns F&R bikes while the dealers own the rental bikes so the dealers can't register them.

These complications happen and are expected but why did HOG continue to advertise the program as being availbale in Nevada? They are dup'ing their members.

I did notice today that HOG finally put an asterick next to Las Vegas and Henderson on the Fly and Ride page. I know a few folks that have complained so it's good to know they are at least doing the right thing and making folks aware of the limitations.

Enough b#tching, time to ride!

[moneymaker]

Originally Posted by hdflstci

I travel a few times a year on business and like to extend my trips a couple of days to get some riding in. In the past I typically used the local HD rental services or a third party (ie; Eagle Rider) to rent the bike.

Then a buddy of mine turned me on to a great benefit (what we thought was a great benefit anyway) provided for HOG members called the HOG "Fly and Ride" program. You essentially get a rental at a significant discount. I made a decision to renew my membership and give HD $45 based on the definition of this benefit posted on the members website. The issue is the program is not even fully deployed and not available at one of the most popular locations: Las Vegas Harley Davidson. What is worse is neither HD nor Las Vegas Harley Davidson show any kind of compassion or are willing to provide a discount on the normal rental rate. It's nuts (and just not right, maybe even illegal)!

I did use the program in Oakland and it worked out well. It's really too bad that HD will not do the right thing and either remove LVHD from the F&R site or at least offer a discount to HOG members.

Has anyone else experienced similar situations?

Thanks for letting me vent!

I live and work in LV.. the dealer in LV has a huge rental fleet, and plenty of fly in customers so they don't need to discount anything... too bad because I know a lot of people that go outside of town because they don't want to deal with the LVHD attitude. Next time you're in LV come by Sapphires and we'll treat you right!

[ccryan67]

I rented from LVHD last August and had no problems, no attitude and they give a military discount on rentals. The folks were nice enough and the dealer has a bus that dropped me off at my hotel. Nothing but a positive experience for me. But futher mucker it was hot!

[Thos]

In Florida, Fort Meyers HD, if you rent a bike for 5 days, the cost is the same for all. ( same as HOG discount). So it doesn't matter weather you are a HOG member or not. This is not the 'Fly and Ride Program', just the 'Go to the dealer and rent' program.

[bobo06]

6 of us did a fly and ride to LV last May. No problems at all. When did the program change?

Bobo

[AZHogrider49]

Two of us flew in from Ohio with fly and ride reservations for LVHD and it went great. Even have the fly and ride pin to prove it. During the rental period my bike broke down, and these guys had me on the road with a new bike in very short order. There was no "attitude", nothing but great customer service. I do see on the HOG.com website that Vegas in now marked as "unavailable".

[PureSugarCANE]

Having had two very successful Fly & Ride rentals (had an issue with Delta Airlines )... I am looking forward to booking a 3rd next year.

Barre VT and Rapid City SD were both awesome. Doing the 105th as a chapter ride this year but will back to Fly & Ride next year ... destination Eugene, OR.

The only caution I would offer is to make sure your arrangements are to travel in the day before, and to make sure the dealer is open the day after your scheduled pick up day. Cost me $2K to get two flights in because of Delta could figure out how to get us into Vermont the next day and had us staying in Atlanta 2 nights... screw that... called expedia and found 2 flights out the next morning, but they were expensive.

[roaddawg65]

Sounds like you have had problems. But Brother this is America and while we are being gouged for gas we sill have some rights and one of those is to take our business elsewhere. If you are unhappy with H.O.G. join another group. I'm sure that what ever club or group they have for Honda or Kawasaki would love to have you as a member. Just sell your Harley and buy one of theirs.

[DLL66]

I did the Fly and Ride twice in Vegas. I didn't have a problem and got a military discount. I didn't witness any "attitudes". In fact, those people were very helpful!